A new professional journey begins for a local basketball star! Former Winton Woods standout and Lakota West player Chance Gray heard her name called in the second round of the WNBA draft on April 13th.

The Los Angeles Sparks selected the dynamic senior guard from Ohio State University with the 24th overall pick. Gray, who started 35 games for the Buckeyes this past season, proved to be a consistent scoring threat, averaging an impressive 14.7 points per game.

Her path to the pros showcases her talent and adaptability. After graduating from Winton Woods in 2022, Gray began her collegiate career at Oregon before transferring to Ohio State for her final two seasons. Her selection makes her the 21st Buckeye ever drafted into the WNBA, joining a proud legacy of Ohio State women's basketball.

Gray joins a Sparks team looking to build momentum after missing the postseason. Los Angeles added other promising talents in the draft, including South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson and Kentucky's Amelia Hassett, forming a new core for the franchise's future.

For aspiring athletes in Cincinnati and beyond, Gray's draft moment is a powerful reminder that hard work on the local courts can lead to the brightest professional stages. Her story is one of dedication, from Ohio's high school gyms to the WNBA draft board.